Mayon volcano, which folks feared may unlease its fury with the full moon on New Year' Day, suddenly fell silent Friday, three days after ejecting huge volume of ash, molten lava and other pyroclastic materials. The unexpected development prompted the authorities to consider lowering the alert level to allow some residents sheltered in evacuation centers to return to their abandoned homes near the foot of the volcano in Albay province. “It really looks like Mayon has dropped dead. This is the first time in its recorded history,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda said. As soon as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) downgrades the alert status to Level 3 from the current Level 4, Salceda said they will allow some 7,200 families to leave the evacuation centers and return to their homes within the six to eight-kilometer extended danger zone. However, he said, some 2,700 families whose homes are located within six kilometers around the volcano will have to remain in evacuation centers pending further updates on Mayon's activities. “It seems God answered our prayers and saw the collective preparations of a united people and government. We are most thankful,” Salceda said. The residents camped in crowded evacuation centers also heaved a sigh of relief as Mayon volcano suddenly quieted down. Loud cheers erupted at the Gogon Elementary School in Legazpi City where some 3,500 evacuees are housed when Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal announced that they could soon return to their homes once the Phivolcs lowers the alert level. “At last we can go home. Life is hard here,” said Melvin Mina, 47, an evacuee. In a meeting Friday morning, Phivolcs officials told local officials to give them three to seven more days to decide on lowering the alert level to ensure the safety of the evacuees. The Albay government has prepared an orderly system for the evacuees' return to their homes wherein “able-bodied” residents or the male breadwinners will be allowed to head back home. These residents will be given special permits to go back while the vulnerable ones, the women and children, will be asked to stay behind, local officials said.
